Extended Spring Training has begun in Mesa, and thanks to ‘The Cub Reporter’s” correspondent, Arizona Phil, fans have been able to keep up with what the possible Boise Hawks (and Mesa Cubs)  are doing in the desert (through his unofficial box scores).

The squad opened with a 4-2 record during the first week of Extended, which included a pair of appearances by former Hawk, Rob Whitenack (’09) – who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.  The righty (pictured left) allowed three hits and struck out four in three innings of work.  Two other former Hawks – Sheldon McDonald (’11) and Charles Thomas (’11) had good outings – McDonald throwing five innings (over two appearances), allowing three hits and fanning 11, while Thomas allowed a hit and a run in a scoreless inning.

At the plate, both Javier Baez (’11) and Dan Vogelbach have impressed – Baez 5-for-10 with two triples, two homers and seven RBI, with Vogelbach going 3-for-12 with a double, homer, and four RBI.  2011 draft pick Danny Lockhart is 5-for-11 with a pair of doubles, while a pair of young Latin players have impressed – Jemier Candelario (6-for-13 with three doubles) and 2011 Arizona League all-star Gioskar Amaya (4-for-9, 3 BB)

Two players have been promoted from Extended – Oliver Zapata (’11) has been promoted to Peoria (as Reggie Golden is on the 7-Day DL), with Joe Zeller (‘10/’11) promoted to Daytona.

Roster Notes – at the Class A level, a total of 13 players are with the Daytona Cubs, the only former Hawks at the Advanced-A level.  The group includes Eduardo Figueroa (‘09/’10), Eric Jokisch (’10), Austin Kirk (‘08/’09), Matt Loosen (’10), Larry Suarez (‘09/’10), Joe Zeller (‘10/’11), Tony Zych (’11) (pictured right), Chad Noble (‘10/’11), Arismendy Alcantara (’10), Dustin Harrington (‘10/’11), Richard Jones (‘09/’10), Greg Rohan (’09), and Matt Szczur (’10).

At the Low-A level, all 19 former Hawks are with the Peoria Chiefs, including Kyler Burke (’07/’08/’11), Willengton Cruz (’11), Michael Jensen (’11), Luis Liria (’11), Andrew McKirahan (’11), Austin Reed (’11), Jose Rosario (’11), Bryce Shafer (’11), Yao-Lin Wang (‘10/’11), Ben Wells (’11), Rafael Lopez (’11), Ryan Cuneo (‘10/’11), Wes Darvill (‘10/’11), Zeke DeVoss (’11) (pictured left), Paul Hoilman (’11), Brad Zepenas (’11), Pin-Chieh Chen (‘10/’11), Reggie Golden (’11), Oliver Zapata (’11). Along with them is Kenny Socorro (’11) – who is serving as a player-coach for the Chiefs, currently on the 7-Day DL  and acting as first-base coach.